the calm after the chaos

Ok my friends I do apologize for being a little absent from the blogosphere, it is has been a whirlwind of activity in the art den, studio Mahaloness, as I begin work on new projects, wrap up older projects and plan my year ahead. This is not an easy task for the artist type, and perhaps I am generalizing a little bit here, it’s just really difficult at times to juggle 8 things at once, paint, frame work, document work, and all the stuff in between, eat, and than…..sit down and write something meaningful. I am beginning to realize that I have been a master of avoiding responsibility and have been living somewhat in a world of chaos and even conflict, which I foolishly believed was integral to my art, and journey. I am at a new stage in my life, and even though that was part of my growth, I am happy that those years are now behind me. Currently I am in the process of learning to work with a calendar, which prior to this revelation was my kryptonite. I have been writing things done in my artist books, which act as place to write thoughts, draw, doodle, and also make lists, however I have found that as soon as a list is not visible it is also easy to forget what was on the list. By putting a calendar on the wall, what a novel idea….it is right there in front of my eyes and subsequently things get done. This has been a invaluable tool so far, as I can clearly see what’s in store, what’s next and most important reaching deadlines. I am not saying I have been totally flailing prior to this realization, it’s just that the chaos was overpowering sometimes and made for a little more stress than is necessary. Let’s face it, life is a sweet and short experience, so making the most of the moments is a priority worth investing in. So moving on it is my pleasure to reintroduce myself, hälts, and to say hello, thank you for your patience and interest in Mahaloness, it has been quite the journey and I look forward to what’s ahead.

Hälts Art Announcement

I am excited to announce that I am working on a website for hälts ART, it will be a portal for you to purchase LTD Ed. Prints, greeting cards and more. I will feature an array of my artwork, however I will be starting small, as a I am only one human. I want to offer you my best work and in a few different styles. This will include fine art prints and wood prints to name a couple. I anticipate that the website will be up around Feb. 18th, 2018, so not long at all. I would be over joyed to send my art to your lovely sanctuaries, wherever that may be. So stay tuned my friends!

AND NOW…

Below is an animation of a helmet I painted for an athlete competing in the Winter games. It is not everyday I get these types of projects so I do encourage you to check out the link to an incredible story that is both, touching and magical, and provides a glimpse at the brighter side of humanity….

Artist tip: clean your studio once and a while, it is okay to make a mess, it’s also useful to know where things are so when you are in the heat of creativity so that you are able to handle the chaos by organzing your work station. When you are aware of where all your tools are, than you don’t have to break your flow.

This image below is called ‘Pink Sun’ it is a hälts hybrid art and combines a mural called ‘Creator’ which I painted in 2016 superimosied over a Nature foto doc I captured last summer during fire season, when the skies were filled with smoke. This print is available, and will be featured on my new website.

The image below is called ‘the Healer’ it is a detail from a recently completed painting, and will also be available as a print on my website, and yes I will be expanding on this in future posts.

The following images is a new WIP called ‘pink dragon’ which started out as a live painting. I am now working on it in the studio and wanted to share a little bit of the progression. I like to use my drawing skills and make paper and transparencies so I can get my composition, I also use my computer in the conceptual stage, although I prefer the hands on, tactile approach. It is acrylic on cardboard, and is part of a series called ‘recycled’ which explores the recycling of ideas, thoughts, art, symbols, myth, story, etc. I will expand on this in future posts, this is an introduction of what’s to come here on Mahaloness.

What would a painter be without his painting sucks, here Bill Murray reminds me to laugh and not take life too seriously when possible.

Mahaloness is an art blog documenting the inner spirit and journey of the living artist Shane Haltman, sometimes referred to as 'hälts'. He lives, breathes and makes art in Canada. Shane loves to travel to remote and exotic locations to create. He specializes in drawing, painting and movie making. Your visits are welcome and very much appreciated. Thank you, from the heart, hälts